Bonnaroo

[PALADIN]

hello campers..
   has anyone camped out at the Bonnaroo music festival in tennesee..

[CajunCamper]

My 20 year old son went and tent camped last year. In the camping area he was in which was within the boundries of the festival grounds he said you get a spot about 10' x the width of your vehicle to set up camp. Not much room at all in the tent camping area. I think they have an area for RV camping but I don't have any details on it. He also said that he was surrounded with some very interresting people, many rock star wanna be's that played their guitars and sang half the night while spaced out on acid or another drug of choice. He didn't have any problems with anyone, but it was definately not a place for kids.

It rained one day so his campsite was very slushy. There were shower trailers set up that you could use after paying a small fee and standing in line. There were also lots of porta potties. There were different tents set up and sponsored by different companies like Verizon that offered air conditioning. He said it was extremly hot there.

Overall he had a good time, but this year he plans on going to Michigan to a festival called Rothbury.

If you have any specific questions about Bonaroo, let me know and I'll be glad to ask him.

Good Luck

CajunCamper

[brainpause]

Please stay away from Tennessee for Bonnaroo. It is the armpit of the year. I hate that festival or whatever you might call it. Traffic jams, druggies, spaced out people, and even a messed up live interview on the local news one morning! (A guy walked up to a reporter and started F'in this and that!)

Larry

[ltrcrr]

I went to "ROO" last year and had a fantastic time...I have already ordered my tickets for this year... ( I'm an OLD fart at 56)  I had a fantastic time. I bought an "RV" pass and pulled my popup, Took my honda eu3000ie gen to power my a/c.  I had NO PROBLEMS at all. The younger crowd was VERY RESPECTABLE and very well behaved. I saw NO incidents at all. Although I'm sure there were some...
If you want to know more, include your email address and I will contact you.
 :p

[UPandATOM]

I went to "ROO" last year and had a fantastic time...

[COLOR=]This will be our fourth "Roo" in the past five years, and we too will be camping on-site in our Aliner pulled by a Honda Element.

We've had a fantastic time every year we've attended Bonnaroo, and at 45 and 47 years old, we're no spring chickens either.

Couple facts to clarify - while you might hear an occasional guitar, bands are not allowed to perform in the campground areas. No kumbaya after 10pm - least not that we've ever heard.

Yes, traffic does get heavy. It's a massive festival and people have to come and go. Go early, leave late. It clears out quickly after the last show, so the departure is a cake walk. That said, the organizers started Radio Bonnaroo last year to help lead folks into the 700 acre site WFTZ 101.5 FM for regularly updated traffic announcements - it was a huge help last year - better than using a GPS!

There are plenty of porta-potties, but no RV services to speak of. The "wash-stations" are pretty large and basically serve as bath houses for the young'ins. It's a concert venue, not a campground, so think dry camping as you pack your rig.

Pack plenty of water and sunscreen. Really.

Ask for a camping space in the designated family camping area - you'll have to walk about 100 yards more to get to the concert venue entrances, but it is outside of earshot of the all-nighter folks who tend to congregate at the front of the park. They're pretty strict about enforcing the noise standards in the family area. We've never stayed in the family site and have had no problems sleeping at night. When you're on your feet 15 hours, the sleep comes pretty quick.

Arrive early. If you can get there Thursday, mid-morning, you won't have to wait long for a camping slot. We waited five hours when we arrived on Thursday after 10pm - that's the nature of 'Roo. It's not a state park.

Water and sunscreen. You honestly cannot pack too much. And shade is the most prized possession at Bonnaroo - set up a tarp and you'll become a friend to the world.

Your designated tent/camper space does have a small footprint, so keep your gear light and tight. We've historically had plenty of room to park our Aliner and Honda Element, side-by-side, with space between the two vehicles for chairs, the grill and coolers. Probably close to a 12 by 15 footprint, but the RV slots can accommodate some really, REALLY big rigs. Yes, the tent sites are smaller, approximately 10by10. Make friends with your neighbors early!

Did I mention water and sunscreen? Nothing worse than trying to sleep with a lobster-red back and thighs.

Finally, check your stress-o-meter at the gate and leave those whining friends at home. Nothing ruins 'Roo like traveling with campers who expect KOA-like accommodations.


For a behind-the-scenes forum, go to: http://bonnaroo.proboards.com/index.cgi?

Here's a link to the official camping page: http://www.bonnaroo.com/faq/faq-campgrounds-camping.aspx

And a great camping checklist as well: http://www.bonnaroofans.com/camping_checklist.php?sid=


Hope to see you at the "Roo" - we're easy to spot! Look for the tiny A-frame camper, the gray Honda Element and the UNC flag flying overhead.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=]Jamie and Kat
2009 Aliner Alite
2005 Honda Element[/COLOR]

[PALADIN]

[COLOR=]This will be our fourth "Roo" in the past five years, and we too will be camping on-site in our Aliner pulled by a Honda Element.

We've had a fantastic time every year we've attended Bonnaroo, and at 45 and 47 years old, we're no spring chickens either.

Couple facts to clarify - while you might hear an occasional guitar, bands are not allowed to perform in the campground areas. No kumbaya after 10pm - least not that we've ever heard.

Yes, traffic does get heavy. It's a massive festival and people have to come and go. Go early, leave late. It clears out quickly after the last show, so the departure is a cake walk. That said, the organizers started Radio Bonnaroo last year to help lead folks into the 700 acre site WFTZ 101.5 FM for regularly updated traffic announcements - it was a huge help last year - better than using a GPS!

There are plenty of porta-potties, but no RV services to speak of. The "wash-stations" are pretty large and basically serve as bath houses for the young'ins. It's a concert venue, not a campground, so think dry camping as you pack your rig.

Pack plenty of water and sunscreen. Really.

Ask for a camping space in the designated family camping area - you'll have to walk about 100 yards more to get to the concert venue entrances, but it is outside of earshot of the all-nighter folks who tend to congregate at the front of the park. They're pretty strict about enforcing the noise standards in the family area. We've never stayed in the family site and have had no problems sleeping at night. When you're on your feet 15 hours, the sleep comes pretty quick.

Arrive early. If you can get there Thursday, mid-morning, you won't have to wait long for a camping slot. We waited five hours when we arrived on Thursday after 10pm - that's the nature of 'Roo. It's not a state park.

Water and sunscreen. You honestly cannot pack too much. And shade is the most prized possession at Bonnaroo - set up a tarp and you'll become a friend to the world.

Your designated tent/camper space does have a small footprint, so keep your gear light and tight. We've historically had plenty of room to park our Aliner and Honda Element, side-by-side, with space between the two vehicles for chairs, the grill and coolers. Probably close to a 12 by 15 footprint, but the RV slots can accommodate some really, REALLY big rigs. Yes, the tent sites are smaller, approximately 10by10. Make friends with your neighbors early!

Did I mention water and sunscreen? Nothing worse than trying to sleep with a lobster-red back and thighs.

Finally, check your stress-o-meter at the gate and leave those whining friends at home. Nothing ruins 'Roo like traveling with campers who expect KOA-like accommodations.


For a behind-the-scenes forum, go to: http://bonnaroo.proboards.com/index.cgi?

Here's a link to the official camping page: http://www.bonnaroo.com/faq/faq-campgrounds-camping.aspx

And a great camping checklist as well: http://www.bonnaroofans.com/camping_checklist.php?sid=


Hope to see you at the "Roo" - we're easy to spot! Look for the tiny A-frame camper, the gray Honda Element and the UNC flag flying overhead.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=]Jamie and Kat
2009 Aliner Alite
2005 Honda Element[/COLOR]

hey thanks for all the info on bonnaroo......i wont be able to make it this year....but maybe next.....and thank again

[PALADIN]

lol...still new at this site....
thanks for all the info on bonnaroo.......now i know what to expect and how to prepare for next year....thanks